Absinthe Designs at Botanical

Spring Fashion Week may be over, but in the most cosmopolitan of cities there is always something stylish going on. Last week the Botanical hosted an evening of fashion shows by two designers at opposing ends of the spectrum; Absinthe Design with more than 20 years in the business and Fickle Hearts by student Beni Angelo.

It was label Absinthe is by designer Melissa Langford that caught my eye. Eclecticism and strong stories characterised the Absinthe collection. The show began with a distinctly peasant feel. Long, full Mexican-style skirts in a range of desert-toned, patterned fabrics had layers adding shape and movement to the models’ struts. Cropped cardigans and jackets were embellished with bright, woven edging.

Next came a series of ballerina styles, as tulle underlay added volume to dresses. The classic tutu featured prominently, layered in colours and decorated with strings of embroidered flowers. As the parade progressed, the modern ballerina developed into a garden-party style of soft colours and floral patterns. Cropped jackets were pieced together with different patterns of floral and patterned fabric, making a marvellously mismatched creation. Dresses were adorned with decoupages of flowers; a popular motif in this part of the show that was well suited to the Botanical.